Surround yourself with super-loyal sycophants. Make sure those you put in power are not more competent than you. (AKA the “Peter Principle”)
Create a secret police force to wield power and instill fear among the population. Incite disruption so your secret police can restore order and thus be championed by those you intend to subjugate. {Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (FDIA)}
Lie, lie, lie … it is the greatest and most powerful tool for a dictator. If you have gotten your population to love you and to discredit all other sources of truth, they will follow you anywhere and believe anything you say. “I can shoot someone on fifth avenue and never lose any votes.” They will embrace anything you say as the truth and ignore any bad behavior you happen to demonstrate.
Get rid of voting as soon as possible. Make yourself dictator for life.
Provide for the common good, or at least champion it through oratory. You don’t actually have to deliver it. On simplifying IRS tax filings, Trump said he would make it so citizens will only need to file by postcard. (2016 campaign promise)
When things go wrong, lay the blame elsewhere. Never admit to a mistake. A good “fall guy” is the previous leader.
Discredit the truth-telling media. Make them, “The enemy of the people.” Eventually, replace them with state-owned media, which will only report good news about you whether or not they are true.
Diffuse your opposition. Make them powerless.
Offer the people scapegoats so they will have somewhere to direct their hatred. By speaking against them, the population will back you as the solution to the trouble the scapegoats are causing. “Mexicans are sending rapists and murderers into our country.”
Find a political enemy, create a tension-filled situation, war with them, then crush them into submission. You will be loved and admired by your population.
Erect infrastructure and statues that honor yourself. Add your name to every good thing. Rename beloved institutions so they bear your name, so when the people enjoy them, they will associate those warm feelings with you.
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